Origin, Meaning, and History of Franklin
Franklin is a classic masculine name of English origin. The given name is derived from the Middle English word Frankelin, where ‘Franc’ means ‘freeman.’ It is also taken from the term ‘Frankeleyn,’ which means ‘a free but not noble birth landowner.’
The mighty name has many origins and holds different meanings across various cultures. For example, it means ‘free’ in Teutonic and American origin. The name also means ‘free landowner’ or ‘land holder’ in German and Australian cultures.
The Franklin family name can be traced back to Britain’s ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name was given to an early member who worked as a landowner but was not a nobleman and wasn’t allowed to call himself a lord. According to further research, the name also has its roots in the Old French word Fraunclein, which eventually became Frankeleyn in Old English.
Benjamin Franklin, an American statesman, scientist, inventor, and philosopher, was a famous bearer of the surname. In the US, the name was commonly given in his honor. It also received a boost in popularity during the tenure of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The phonetic spelling of the traditional name Franklin is “Frangk-lin.” This two-syllable name has many variations across different cultures. These include Franklyn, Francklyn, Franklind, Francklin, Francis, Francesca, Francine, Frans, and Franz. The popular diminutives for the name are Frank and Frankie.
Many fictional characters have been given the name Franklin thanks to the name’s versatility. These include Franklin, aPeanutscomic strip character, Franklin Clarke, a character in Agatha Christie’sThe A.B.C. Murders, and Franklin Clinton, a playable character in the video gameGrand Theft Auto V.Franklin Rock is another interesting fictional character from theDC comicsand Franklin Nelson, also recognized as Foggy Nelson, is a character from the famous comicDaredevil.
Lastly, the Japanese manga seriesHunter x Hunterhas a character named Franklin Bordeau, who is a member of the phantom troupe.
How To Pronounce Franklin?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Franklin in English.
Famous People With The Name Franklin
- Franklin Delano Williams美国的福音音乐的歌手,以形成the Mississippi Mass Choir
- Frank DelfinoAmerican actor, known for his character of The Hamburglar in McDonald’s advertising campaign
- Frank GorshinAmerican actor, popular for his portrayal of the Riddler on the live-action television series “Batman”
- Frank VincentAmerican actor, best known for his performances in the films “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and “Casino”
- Frank OceanAmerican singer, songwriter, and rapper, winner of two Grammy Awards
Franklin On The Popularity Chart
The name Franklin has been popular in the US, but its usage has varied over time. Look at the SSA graphs to understand its performance.
Popularity Over Time
The name Franklin enjoyed peak popularity in the 1980s before declining in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2021, 795 babies per million were given the name.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Franklin was in the 17,939th position in 2021. View the graph below to get an idea of its ranking over the years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Franklin
Do you wish to look into names that sound similar to Franklin? Here are some alternatives.
Popular Sibling Names For Franklin
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Franklin, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Franklin
Find matching brother names for Franklin and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Farhang Good
Ferenc
Franc
Franck
Francklin
Francklyn
Franco
Francois
Franek
Frank
Girl Sibling Names For Franklin
寻找一些适合F的妹妹的名字ranklin? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
Farahnaz
Farahnoush
Faranaaz
Farani
Fareena
Faren
Farhaana
Farhana
Farhanah
Farhannah
Other Popular Names Beginning With F
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter F to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Franklin
The classic name Franklin means ‘freeman’ We bring you some more monikers with similar connotations.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
franklin
In Sign Language
franklin
In Braille Alphabet
franklin
In Morse Code
franklin
Name Numerology For Franklin
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Franklin?
The name Franklin means ‘freeman.’
2. What is the origin of the name Franklin?
Franklin has an Anglo French origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Franklin?
Franklin is pronounced as Frangk-lin.
4. Is Franklin a common name?
Franklin is a relatively common name in the US. It has origins in the English language and has been used for decades. The name gained popularity in the 20th century and has been widely used since then. Its highest usage was, however, during the 1980s (1).
5. What positive or endearing qualities do parents associate with the name Franklin?
Individuals named Franklin are considered good, responsible leaders in different areas of life. They tend to have attractive personalities and creative minds with a knack for opportunities.
References:
- Popularity of name Franklin;
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
